Baltimore Ravens

05/04/2012

In one week, the arbitration hearing concerning the Redskins’ and Cowboys’ salary cap penalties. The anger at the two penalized teams stems from the fact that franchise tag salaries are based on the average top five salaries and bonuses at the position. The large bonus payments had an inflationary effect on the franchise player salaries. For example, the payment of a large salary to Miles Austin upset the Chargers organization. Austin’s big salary pushed up the franchise tag for the wide receiver position from $9.5 million to $11.3 million. However, the owners wanted the lockout and got it. Then, they got a fairly favorable settlement with what is to be projected to be a four-year run with a flat salary cap. They want these gains without dropping millions due to increases in the franchise tag that should have been expected following an uncapped year.

Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens linebacker, tore his Achilles tendon while training in Arizona. As a result, he is expected to have to miss the entire 2012 season. It has been reported that he suffered the injury while playing basketball and will undergo surgery on the tear. However, Suggs denies this and says that he pulled it while doing training exercises. Suggs plans on coming back mid-season, earlier than expected.